Ultrasound Cost in Chicago, IL (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ultrasound cost in Chicago, IL?
You could pay $81 or $167 for the same ultrasound in Chicago, IL - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 65 reporting hospitals is $113. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Three low-priced facilities in Chicago, IL, from hospital price files
- The University of Chicago Medical Center · Chicago, IL $52
- Rush Oak Park Hospital $52
- Alexian Brothers Medical Center $62
Free: the typical range and the facilities above. Add your email to unlock all 65 facilities. We email you the full price list plus a checklist of what to ask before you book. We don't sell your information (privacy policy).
Where ultrasound costs vary in Chicago, IL
Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby imaging centers and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.
26+ people checked prices near them this month.
The same ultrasound can be one bill or two - and the radiologist can be out-of-network even when the facility isn't.
Your personalized cost report includes:
- ✓ Why a facility splits into a technical bill and a separate radiologist bill (and an office bills one global fee)
- ✓ How the radiologist who reads your images can be out-of-network even at an in-network facility
- ✓ Why a hospital outpatient department costs far more than an independent imaging center
- ✓ How a complete vs. limited study changes the price - and the questions to ask first
- ✓ A real patient billing breakdown, line by line
Free for patients - takes 30 seconds to get.
We'll send a sign-in link to your email - click it to get your guide. No account required, no spam.
Cheapest Ultrasound Providers in Chicago, IL
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Endeavor Health Elmhurst Hospital | Elmhurst, IL | $52 | -$61 |
| 2 | Endeavor Health Linden Oaks Hospital | Naperville, IL | $52 | -$61 |
| 3 | Endeavor Health Edward Hospital | Naperville, IL | $52 | -$61 |
| 4 | The University of Chicago Medical Center | Chicago, IL | $52 | -$61 |
| 5 | Rush Oak Park Hospital | IL | $52 | -$61 |
| 6 | Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers | IL | $53 | -$60 |
| 7 | Loretto Hospital | IL | $61 | -$52 |
| 8 | Alexian Brothers Medical Center | IL | $62 | -$51 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Email me this price comparison plus what to ask before booking
Unlocks all 65 facilities here and sends the full list with a short checklist of questions that change what you pay. We don't sell your information (privacy policy).
Before you book: three questions that change the price
- Is this the self-pay price, and does it include the doctor, anesthesia and any lab or pathology? Those are often billed separately.
- Can you give me the price in writing, with the billing codes it covers?
- What happens to the price if something extra is needed during the procedure?
Estimate your out-of-pocket cost → · When the bills arrive, we check them for errors →
Quick take
- Endeavor Health Elmhurst Hospital is the lowest-cost option at $52 - $61 below the state median, just by choosing where you go.
- Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $113, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Independent imaging centers often charge much less than hospital outpatient departments for the same scan and may not appear in this hospital-only dataset - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
Illinois presents two distinct markets: Chicago (highly competitive, high commercial rates, major academic medical centers) and downstate (lower density, smaller regional systems, lower rates). Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora Health, and Rush University Medical Center compete aggressively in the Chicago market. Downstate Illinois prices typically run 20–35% below Chicago-area rates for identical services. Ultrasound pricing varies more by body part and clinical indication than almost any other imaging type - an OB ultrasound, a vascular duplex study, and an abdominal ultrasound carry different CPT codes and reimbursement rates even though the equipment is the same. Independent imaging centers typically charge 40–60% less than hospital outpatient departments for the same study. The sonographer skill matters more than setting for diagnostic quality.
Received a bill? Check it for errors → Estimate YOUR cost before you go → Managing more than one bill? See the family tracker →
Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
A small number of hospitals (1) report prices above $432, including The Methodist Hospitals, Inc. at $461, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $111 versus $148 inpatient (about 1.3× more), so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick. Whether the scan happens in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a separate facility fee) or a freestanding imaging center is usually the single biggest driver of price for this procedure.
On top of the facility price, your actual bill depends on your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved - not just the facility - is in-network.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$113 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$23 |
| Out-of-network provider | $249+ |
Frequently asked questions: ultrasound costs in Chicago, IL
How much does an ultrasound cost in Chicago, IL?
The typical price is $113, with most facilities between $81 and $167. Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $42 to $461 across all 65 Chicago, IL hospitals that publish prices. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.
Where is the cheapest place to get an ultrasound in Chicago, IL?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Chicago, IL data is Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute of Libertyville in Libertyville at about $42. By metro, Naperville has the lowest median ($52). Independent imaging centers are often cheaper still and may not appear in hospital price data - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
Why is an ultrasound so much cheaper at some Chicago, IL hospitals?
Prices vary up to 11× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Chicago, IL, the median cash (self-pay) price is $113 versus a median negotiated rate of $25 - about 4.5× higher. Asking for the cash price or your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.
How much will I actually pay out of pocket for an ultrasound in Chicago, IL?
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.
Before you book
- How to read your medical bill
- How to stop medical bill problems before they start
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- How to read an EOB line by line
Other procedures in Chicago, IL
Ultrasound, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
Imaging center vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than independent imaging centers for the same ultrasound - same outcome, very different bill. The ER charges the most of any setting and should only be used when the situation is medically urgent. Call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote at each setting you're considering.
Cost by type
Which type your doctor orders for this ultrasound changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A recognized variation that can change the billing code and what you owe.
This is shoppable
Ultrasound is elective and schedulable, so you have time to compare facilities before booking - hospital outpatient prices often run 2-4x higher than alternative settings for the identical clinical outcome.
What to ask before you book
Get the CPT code from your doctor, confirm every provider involved (not just the facility) is in-network, ask for the cash-pay rate if you're uninsured or haven't met your deductible, and request a written estimate for ultrasound before you schedule.
CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).
Other Procedure Costs in Chicago, IL
- Appendectomy Cost in Chicago, IL
- Cataract Surgery Cost in Chicago, IL
- Childbirth Cost in Chicago, IL
- Cholecystectomy Cost in Chicago, IL
- Colonoscopy Cost in Chicago, IL
- CT Scan (Abdomen) Cost in Chicago, IL
- CT Scan (Chest) Cost in Chicago, IL
- CT Scan (Head) Cost in Chicago, IL
- CT Scan Cost in Chicago, IL
- Echocardiogram Cost in Chicago, IL
- Emergency Room Visit Cost in Chicago, IL
- Endoscopy Cost in Chicago, IL
- Hip Replacement Cost in Chicago, IL
- Hysterectomy Cost in Chicago, IL
- Knee Replacement Cost in Chicago, IL
- Mammogram Cost in Chicago, IL
- Brain MRI Cost in Chicago, IL
- MRI Cost in Chicago, IL
- Knee MRI Cost in Chicago, IL
- Spinal Fusion Cost in Chicago, IL
- X-Ray Cost in Chicago, IL
Related Articles
Interested in understanding healthcare costs and managing your medical expenses?
- Free Cost EstimatorCalculate your exact out-of-pocket cost for any procedure
- Free Bill ScreenerCheck whether your bill and paperwork are ready for a professional review
- Family Bill TrackerTrack costs across every family member and every bill in one place
- Ultrasound Cost GuideCompare Ultrasound prices across all 50 states
- Deductible vs Out-of-Pocket MaximumLearn how insurance cost-sharing works and what you actually pay
- Cost ExplorerBrowse procedures and compare prices across the country
About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
Connect on LinkedIn →Ready to take control of your healthcare costs?
Use the free cost estimator → · Get your bill screened for free → · See the family plan →